unarticulated
|un-ar-tic-u-lat-ed|
🇺🇸
/ˌʌnɑrˈtɪkjəleɪtɪd/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌnɑːˈtɪkjʊleɪtɪd/
not joined / not clearly expressed
Etymology
'unarticulated' is formed from the negating prefix 'un-' + 'articulated', where 'articulated' comes from Latin 'articulatus', the past participle of 'articulare', ultimately from 'articulus' meaning 'joint' or 'small joint'.
'articulus' (Latin) → 'articulare'/'articulatus' (Late Latin) → Old French/Medieval Latin influences → Middle English 'articulaten'/'articulate' → modern English 'articulate'; the prefix 'un-' (Old English/Old Norse negative prefix) was later attached to form 'unarticulated'.
Originally related to physical joints or divisions ('having joints' or 'in joints'), the sense shifted to 'expressed clearly' (i.e., 'joined into clear parts' of speech); 'unarticulated' therefore came to mean both 'not jointed/segmented' and 'not clearly expressed' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not expressed clearly in words; not put into clear or precise speech or writing.
Her feelings remained unarticulated.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
not divided into joints or distinct segments; lacking articulation (used of anatomical or mechanical parts).
The fossil consisted of an unarticulated set of bones.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/01 17:03